Members of the Richmond Hill Middle School Winds entertained the crowds that attended the Relay for Life Friday night in J.F. Gregory Park.

Relay for Life is a yearly event that seeks to raise money for research to find the cure for cancer and to help those diagnosed with cancer and their families cope with the realities of fighting the disease.

But research and support does not come cheaply and runs into the tens of millions of dollars yearly.

To that end, Bryan County rose to the challenge.

According to Julie Pecenka, team recruitment chief for this year’s event, the goal was $47,000.

“I had hoped we would meet that goal. I even hoped it would exceed maybe $60,000. With money still to be counted, we have raised more than $70,000. I’m very happy about that,” she said.